Nutrient Infusion: Tata Harper Replenishing Nutrient Complex

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Like a multivitamin for the skin, Tata Harper’s Replenishing Nutrient Complex provides antioxidants, nutrients, fatty acids,  lipids, amino acids, and omegas essential for softening the visual signs of aging. Brightening and rejuvenating the complexion, this formula leaves the skin silky soft and strong.

Suitable for all skin types, the Replenishing Nutrient Complex is formulated with:

• Alfalfa Extract, high in vitamins A, B, C, D and E, helps maintain a youthful appearance and protects skin from environmental conditions that cause damage
• Improves the appearance of skin tone with Rose Geranium
• Soothes dry, dehydrated skin and aids in cellular repair with Calendula
• Borage Oil keeps skin healthy and supple with high levels of Gamma Linolenic Acid
• Jojoba and Borage provide nutrients and fatty acids while aiding skin lipid and moisture retention
• Provides a final layer of environmental protection to the skin

This is the best post-beach treatment ever! After sun, surf and sand you really feel this product “replenish” all the nutrients back into the skin. Unlike a lot of face oils, this one soaks into the skin beautifully and does not leave an oily layer. With a subtle floral aroma that smells fresh and feminine, Tata Harper’s Replenishing Nutrient Complex is a must-have.

About Tata Harper

Tata Harper had no intention of entering the beauty world until her stepfather was diagnosed with cancer. His doctor told him to stop all personal care products which started Tata Harper’s curiosity. She checked the Skin Deep Database only to find that the high-end products she had been using for years were highly toxic. With her scientific and engineering background, she traveled the world searching for comparable natural beauty products. “I chose to spend my money on high quality ingredients rather than packaging and marketing, which is usually the opposite of what other brands do” says  Harper. Even before they had their new packaging , they received letters asking if they would ship the product in Ziploc bags.  If that’s not a testimony to product performance, I don’t know what is.

Bathe Responsibly: 100% Pure Vapor Baths

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Enjoy a soothing and rejuvenating aromatherapy soak. Vapor Baths from 100% Pure are made with fresh medicinal herbs and essential oils that can magically soothe aches and pains, relieve cold symptoms or simply help you relax after a long hard day. There are many bath salts and oils available on the market, but there is nothing quite as satisfying as a product made with all natural and organic ingredients.

Bathe responsibly. “As much as 60% of topical skin-care products are absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream,” says Dr. Nany Lonsdorf, M.D. – an Iowa-based physician. “They should be consumed with the same prudence that we use to choose our breakfast cereal.” There are many toxic chemicals in cosmetic, bath and body products, 100% Pure contains no synthetic chemicals, no artificial fragrances, no chemical preservatives or any other toxins.

100% Pure Vapor Baths are made with sake, a japanese rice wine. Sake is rich with amino acids, malic acid, peptides, lactic acid and minerals to make your skin silky smooth and soft. Just as drinking sake relaxes you, sakes gets absorbed to deeply relax muscles and relieve tension. Available in four different blends: Eucalyptus Cold & Flu, Lavender Sedative, Clementine Uplifting and Rosemary Muscle Soak, one can find a formula to cure whatever ails you.

The Eucalyptus Cold & Flu Vapor Bath is formulated with pure Eucalyptus essential oil that decongests and relieves sinus pressure. Eucalyptus purifies and disinfects to protect and purify your environment.

The Lavender Sedative Vapor Bath is formulated with pure Lavender essential oil calms, alleviates stressful thoughts and helps to sedate you for restful sleep.

The Clementine Uplifting Vapor Bath is formulated with pure Citrus essential oil brightens your mood and uplifts your spirit.

The Rosemary Muscle Soak Vapor Bath is formulated with pure Rosemary essential oil alleviates muscle aches and relaxes tense overworked muscles.

These formulas are highly concentrated, so only a small capful is needed.

Summer Travel: Beauty Essentials

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Whether it’s a weekend road trip or a long-haul to an exotic locale, there is nothing like a summer vacation. Look your best while traveling with these beauty essentials:

Oxylent Oxygenating Multivitamin Drink: The effervescent multivitamin drink is formulated with the highest quality of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, and electrolytes. Perfect for travel, the convenient packets are easily transported, so you can drink it anytime, anywhere – just add water. It is great for keeping the immune system in peak condition; a low calorie choice before or after working out; a true friend to the outdoor enthusiast; an easy-to-use daily multivitamin; or a wonderful late afternoon pick-me-up at work. Oxylent not only offers a unique effervescent delivery system, but unlike most, all of the formulas are both sugar and calorie free. Oxylent’s formulas do not contain any gluten, caffeine, lactose, artificial sweeteners, flavors or colors.

Kerstin Florian Rehydrating Neroli Water: This uplifting aromatherapy water instantly refreshes and hydrates the skin. Made from the bitter orange blossom, this facial spray soothes and hydrates the skin. The moment your face feels tight, one spritz will instantly hydrate and refresh the skin. Use as a toner after cleansing the face or as a body spray after showering. Or keep cool in the refrigerator and spray on hot, humid days. Perfect for après beach.

Supergoop! City Sunscreen Serum: This light yet powerful serum is both a moisturizer and a broad-spectrum SPF 30. It fights the signs of premature aging – think fine lines and sunspots – and prevents future photo-damage from UV rays. Built for year-round use, this serum is amazingly lightweight and comfortable. Supergoop’s unique Hydrovotin 24 complex works with the skin’s own moisture mechanisms to increase hydration levels, while vitamins E and B5 heal past damage. It absorbs both UVA rays that lead to premature aging and UVB rays that cause sunburn. The top-of-the-line “PA +++” rating means the formula meets the highest standards for sun protection.  Also paraben and fragrance-free—just what the doctor ordered for sensitive skin.

Rodin Olio Lusso Luxury Face Oil: Formulated with an aromatic blend of 11 essential oils, this opulent oil relies on flowers and botanicals for their calming and illuminating properties. A staple of many top pros and makeup artists, this oil can be used to take makeup off, to moisturize and as a massage oil (expensive massage oil?). Add a couple drops to foundation to create a dewy finish or pat on the cheekbones and undereyes for a beautiful, fresh glow. Just a few drops will make your skin look radiant. Use as an alternate or supplement to your moisturizer and apply whenever your face needs a pick-me-up.

Dior Hydra Life BB Cream: READ FULL REVIEW: HERE

Bobbi Brown Bronzer/Blush Duo: Inspired by the look of “skin bathed in afternoon light,” this dynamic duo creates healthy-looking skin. On one side, Bobbi Brown Illuminating Bronzing Powder in Bahama Brown packs a blend of sheer powder and micro pearls (for a seamlessly glowing finish all over the face). The other side boasts Bobbi Brown Shimmer Blush in Pink Peony, the perfect way to add a pop of color to the apples of cheeks. Great for travel, this duo eliminates bulk and the need for too many face products. Tip: Sweep bronzer over eyelids for instant contour.

MAC Bare Study Paint Pot: This multi-purpose paint pot is perfect for travel. Bare Study is a metallic nude/champagne cream eye shadow that can be used as a primer, eye shadow and/or highlighter. Sweep onto the eyelid before applying a powder shade to ensure longevity. For highlighting, pat product on the cheekbones, brow bone, cupid bow and décolletage for subtle illumination. The soft, light-reflecting pearl finish will brighten any area.

Kiehl’s Lip Balm SPF 15 in Hue 30G: Lip balm with SPF is a must while traveling. Lips are often neglected and can suffer the same effects of the sun just as much as any other part of the body. Kiehl’s Lip Balm SPF 15 offers protection, relief and color. Lip products like gloss, stains or lipsticks can attract the sun with their shiny finish. This formula combines a sheer wash of color with UVA and UVB protection. Hue 30G is a beautiful light golden color with peach undertones.

Blinc Mascara: I have a love/hate relationship with waterproof mascara. While most formulas do last all day, they are a pain to remove. Blinc Mascara is a “tubing” mascara. It uses a copolymer-based formula to create little tubes around each one of your lashes preventing flaking, running or smudging. The formula is waterproof, sweat-proof and won’t irritate even the most sensitive of eyes so you can wear it all day without worrying about touch-ups. At the end of the day, use a damp washcloth to gently dislodge the tubes. They’ll slide off with just a little pressure.

Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray: READ FULL REVIEW: HERE

Adara Organic Virgin Coconut Oil for Body & Face: Organic and biologically pure, Adara Virgin Coconut Oil is a gorgeous multi-tasking body and hair oil. Great for travel, coconut oil solidifies when temperatures are below 76 degrees – this makes it wonderful to pack and not worry about leaking. Adara Virgin Coconut Oil is available in five scented oils and travel-size, Oriental Jasmine, Soothing Lavender, Heavenly Peach, Innocent Rose, and Refreshing Green Tea. (Favorite: Jasmine) READ MORE ABOUT THE BENEFITS & USES OF COCONUT OIL: HERE

Flo Refillable Perfume Atomizer: Packing a big glass perfume bottle can be inconvenient and cumbersome. Tote your favorite fragrance wherever you go with the Refillable Perfume Atomizer by FLO. This ingenious gadget allows you to carry your perfume in an easy-to-use, compact atomizer. The modern design enables fast and efficient refilling without a funnel – preventing any danger of spilling a single drop of your expensive perfume. Suitable for all types of perfumes, this atomizer holds up to 77 sprays. Perfect for a purse, clutch, beach bag or travel bag, never leave home without your favorite fragrance again.

Kate Spade Cosmetic Bag – Garance Dore Davie

Drink Your Vitamins: Vital Earth Minerals

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The best vitamin for you is the vitamin that you will take every single day on a consistent basis. Weather in tablet or liquid form, it really does not matter which brand or type is the best – if you are not taking them.

I am a big believer of drinking my vitamins. I find I am much more consistent with a daily regime when my vitamins are in liquid form. Also, liquid vitamins are more effective because they can be assimilated immediately into the blood stream. The liquid form can also be three to five times more concentrated than vitamin pills. This more concentrated form can lead to higher therapeutic benefits and a healthier outcome.

My favorite liquid vitamins and minerals are Vital Earth Minerals. The three major advantages to all Vital Earth liquid products are high potency ingredients, 98% absorption (due to liquid form) and the addition of a unique component – Fulvic Minerals.

Fulvic, the “miracle molecule,” is rapidly becoming one of the key elements in many health and scientific breakthroughs of the 21st century. Fulvic Minerals have occurred naturally in organic plants and soils since the beginning of man-kind. It is created by microbial activity at the roots of plants. Its function is to dissolve and convert the metallic and clay based mineral molecules that are in soils into a form that is usable by plants animals and people. Once the minerals are dissolved, plants uptake, through their root system, the powerful fulvic substance that is loaded with dissolved minerals and trace elements.

Benefits of Fulvic Minerals:

• Makes all nutrients more absorbable which means you get greater benefit from all your nutrients – whatever the source.
• Transports nutrients right into the cells.
• Increases absorption of oxygen and decreases acidity.
• Changes the pattern of metabolism of carbohydrates.
• Helps rebuild and stimulate the immune system.
• Extends the time nutrients remain active.
• Increases energy.
• Is a powerful de-toxer.
• Is the most powerful natural free-radical and antioxidant known to science at this time.

Realizing that Fulvic enhances all the nutrients it comes in contact with, Vital-Earth uses it as the base for all their products.

The Super-Multi is a high-potency formula packed with a combination of vitamins, amino acids, anti-oxidants with a fulvic mineral base. Just one capful per day provides the body with over 100 nutrients. It has a passion fruit flavor that tastes great and is easy to take.

The Fulvic Mineral Complex contains the highest concentration of fulvic found on the retail market. It should be added to almost everyone’s supplement regime, especially if you are facing a health challenge, are recreational athletes (sweating minerals out of the body) or want to take extra preventive measures. It has absolutely no taste and a balanced alkaline pH of 7.0 to 7.8.

Vital-Earth has a wonderful selection of liquid vitamins and minerals. They are of the highest quality and potency. At the end of the day, it is still a matter of, hand-to-mouth, the act of taking a vitamin every day. If you are like me and tend to get lazy with capsule-form vitamins, try a liquid form – I guarantee you will stay consistent.

GLOW-T AWARDS: Kerstin Florian Sunless Tan

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BEST MOISTURIZING SELF-TANNER: Kerstin Florian Sunless Tan

Kerstin Florian Sunless Tan is an innovative product that provides easy application, natural color, consistency, moisture and a pleasant aroma.

The uber moisturizing formula is enriched with Sweet Almond Oil and Shea Butter to deeply hydrate and smooth the skin for a radiant, streak-free appearance. Ginko Biloba and Echinacea extracts help to condition the skin, fight free radicals and promote healthy cell regeneration.

The active ingredient in most self-tanners is dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which reacts with the outer layer of the skin to create a bronzed tone. Kerstin Florian Sunless Tan uses a natural sunless tanning ingredient derived from a vegetable source. It reacts with amino acids in the top layer of the skin to produce the golden appearance.

Selected by SELF Magazine as the “Best New Self-Tanning Product of the Year,” Kerstin Florian Sunless Tan is thick and creamy and smells subtly like a bouquet of flowers. The initial color is light but builds to a beautiful sun-kissed glow. It feels very lux on the skin and feels and smells like a spa treatment.

Read my post on: Application Tips & Tricks

Bikini-Ready & Healthy: Vega One

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Start your day off right with Vega One. This all-in-one nutritional shake provides the body with everything it needs to support a healthy and active lifestyle. Free from preservatives, added sugar, artificial flavors or colors, Vega One is dairy, gluten and soy free.

One serving of Vega One contains all this:

• 15g of protein (plant-based protein) / equivalent to eating 2.7 eggs.

• 1 billion CFU dairy-free probiotics / same as eating 100g of yogurt.

• 1.5g Omega 3 / providing the same per serving as 6 oz of wild salmon.

• 6g of fiber / equivalent to eating 3.2 slices of whole wheat bread.

• 3 servings of greens / same as three servings of nutrient-rich vegetables.

• 2.7 cups of antioxidants / equivalent to eating 2.7 cups of blueberries.

Additionally, one serving of Vega One delivers half of your daily intake of vital vitamins and minerals, and 1000mg of maca (rich in amino acids) and 500mg of chlorella (helps immune function).

With summer on the horizon, Vega One shakes are a great way to get bikini-ready. They are great for on-the-go meal replacements and will provide energy, metabolize fats, proteins and carbohydrates and facilitate in proper muscle function and repair. Also, daily protein shakes can help to provide a lasting feeling of fullness and limit total calorie consumption, resulting in weight-loss.

In my experience, it is quite difficult to find a protein/nutritional powder that is low in sugar and low glycemic level (measure of the effects of food on blood sugar levels). Vega One is sweetened with stevia extract and has no sugar, maltodextrin or sugar-derivitives added. On the Glycemic index it is impressively low at 19.2 – compared to popular brands that are between 30 and 45.

Available in Berry, Chocolate, Vanilla Chai (my favorite) and Natural, Vega One tastes great simply shaken with water or blended with ice. Or add a non-dairy beverage of your choice (favorite: almond milk), and all the veggies and fruits you can handle for a healthy, delicious and nutritious meal.

Favorite Shake Recipe:

• 1 serving Vega One

• 6 large strawberries

• 1 sliced banana

• 1 cup blueberries

• 2-4 kale leaves

• 1/2 cup almond milk

• 1/2 cup water

• ice

Blend & Go!

Glow-T’s Mineral Powder Foundation Awards

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Glow-T’s Mineral Powder Foundation Awards. 

Trust me, I have tried them all. I am a true fan of mineral powders for texture, coverage, finish and added benefits. To date, here are my picks:

BEST TEXTURE: Korres Wild Rose Mineral Foundation

This talc-free, loose powder foundation contains Korres signature Wild Rose Extract, a natural source of vitamin C that helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and skin discolorations. The texture is lightweight and feels like it allows the skin to breathe. It glides on the skin with a silky-smooth texture. The coverage is very sheer which makes this the perfect setting powder, for the brightening benefits and SPF 30.

BEST COVERAGE: Youngblood Natural Mineral Foundation

Originally developed with leading doctors and for use in a medical setting, Youngblood minerals are some of the finest available. The Natural Mineral Foundation is no joke. The ultra-fine powders provide the most full-coverage I have seen, yet still feels light on the skin. It produces a flawless, glowing complexion and covers any blemish or discoloration properly. Perfect for all skintypes, it is enriched with minerals that provide UVA/UVB protection and is completely free from talc, perfumes and chemical dyes.

BEST FINISH: Laura Mercier Mineral Powder SPF 15

This finely milled powder is composed completely of natural elements with 15 active amino acids. It helps to clear the skin of toxins, promote healthy skin-cell growth and fight the aging process. The real selling point is the amazing satin finish this product produces. It makes skin look incredibly youthful and luminous. While buffing this product into the skin, it almost feels like a cream and smooths over the skin effortlessly. The water-resistant powder is long-lasting and provides medium coverage and the shade selection is full of neutral tones that look natural on the skin.

BEST IN SHOW: PRIORI CoffeeBerry Perfecting Minerals

The All-In-One mineral powder foundation. Treat/Cover/Protect. The only mineral line that contains CoffeeBerry, a powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals and the causes of aging skin. This foundation feels weightless on the skin. It contains light-diffusing minerals that reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles producing a smoother more perfected complexion. It not only evens-out skintone and redness, but treats the underlying causes. Recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation, this is the best choice for broad spectrum UV protection: SPF 25, UVA 10, PA+++. When I wear this foundation, I think of it more as skincare than makeup. It gives me the perfect coverage and glow, in which I even feel comfortable wearing it to the gym. This is my pick for a Mineral Powder Foundation, it is truly in a category of it’s own.

Hydration Help: Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado

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Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado is a rich eye cream that nourishes and hydrates. More than just an eye cream, it truly is a treatment for the eyes.

The light green cream has a thick consistency that mimics fresh avocados. It plumps the under eye area with an intense concentration of actives; Beta Carotene, a powerful antioxidant, Shea Butter restores hydration and keeps skin protected, and Avocado Oil moisturizes and infuses skin with amino acids, vitamins, and potassium.

When applied, the composition of the rich cream magically changes to a water-soluable texture. The delicate eye area immediately drinks this up, providing a burst of hydration. Tested under Ophthalmologists, the concentrated formula will not irritate or migrate into the eyes. No trace of film or residue is left on the skin that sometimes interfere with makeup or concealer application.

Treat your eyes to a burst of moisture with Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado. (Don’t forget about Kiehl’s more than generous sample gifting.)

Spring Cleaning: Fresh Soy Face Cleanser

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Fresh Soy Face Cleanser

Fresh Soy Face Cleanser is a lightweight gel that gently hydrates and nourishes the skin. It removes all dirt, oil and makeup from the skin without stripping it of it’s essential nutrients.

Unlike most cleansers, the Soy Face Cleanser does not create a lather when applied. The gel-like consistency thickens as it is worked into the skin and feels like silk. It sweeps over the face and removes anything in its way, softly and gently. A splash of water reveals an exceptionally clean face, squeaky even, without it feeling tight or dry.

Fresh’s Soy Face Cleanser smells of cucumbers and rose. It feels cool and fresh on the skin, ever so soothing. Enriched with soy proteins, amino acids and botanicals, this is a phenomenal cleansing product.